Directional anchoring mechanism, and method and applications thereof

Abstract

An anchoring mechanism and method for anchoring a device within a biological conduit include an expandable element configured for retaining the device at a desired angle relative to a central axis of the biological conduit. A steering mechanism is preferably provided for orienting the device prior to operation of the anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism and method are employed in drug delivery devices, brachytherapy devices or for anchoring a catheter or sheath to provide a working channel for reliable guidance of a wide range of tools to a target location within the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for deployment in a biological conduit comprising:
 an anchoring cage defining an outer peripheral surface circumferentially surrounding a distal portion of a catheter, the outer peripheral surface extending radially outward from an outer surface of the catheter in an anchoring state, the outer peripheral surface being configured to contact an interior surface of the biological conduit and to act against at least part of a corresponding circumference of the interior surface of the biological conduit when expanded into the anchoring state; 
 a lumen extending through at least a portion of the catheter, the anchoring cage being secured about the distal portion of the catheter, and when in the anchoring state, the lumen oriented in the anchoring cage such that the contact between the outer peripheral surface of the anchoring cage and the at least part of the corresponding circumference of the interior surface of the biological conduit positions the distal portion of the catheter at a predefined non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the biological conduit; and 
 a second anchoring cage positioned on the catheter proximal to the anchoring cage and configured to produce high friction engagement with the interior surface of the biological conduit in the anchoring state, the second anchoring cage substantially allowing fluid flow through the biological conduit when in the anchoring state. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring cage is permanently attached about the distal portion of the catheter. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer peripheral surface of the anchoring cage includes at least one filamentous element. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the filamentous element comprises a material selected from the group of materials comprising: stainless steel and Nitinol. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the filamentous element is woven. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring cage is expandable from a retracted state to the anchoring state. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second anchoring cage includes at least one second filamentous element; 
 the at least one second filamentous element includes a material selected from the group of materials comprising stainless steel and Nitinol; and 
 the at least one second filamentous element is woven. 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring cage substantially allows fluid flow through the biological conduit when in the anchoring state.